The Power of Microshifting for Working Caregivers

Before it was trending or had a name, I was already microshifting. I learned to rearrange my workday in creative ways so I could be both a reliable employee and a devoted caregiver.

Back then, there weren’t many examples to follow or policies in place to make caregiving easier for working professionals. What I had was determination, a strong work ethic, and a deep sense of responsibility to care for my husband during his health challenges; I had to figure out how to make this work for all of us.

If you’re a working family caregiver, you know the balancing act all too well, juggling deadlines, caregiving tasks, and the emotional weight of both. You want to do right by your loved one and your employer, but the traditional 9-to-5 schedule doesn’t always fit the unpredictable nature of caregiving. That’s where microshifting comes in,  a small but powerful shift that can change everything.

What Is Microshifting?

Microshifting is the practice of adjusting when and how you work in short, flexible bursts rather than in one continuous block of time. It’s not about working less,  it’s about working differently.

Instead of an eight-hour stretch at your desk, microshifting allows you to break your workday into smaller, more manageable segments around your caregiving responsibilities.

For example:

• Logging on early in the morning before your loved one wakes up.

• Taking a long mid-morning break for medical appointments or personal care.

• Catching up on focused work in the evening when things settle at home.

The key is communication, accountability, and results, not clocking every hour in the same way everyone else does.

Why Microshifting Matters for Caregivers

Microshifting offers caregivers a lifeline. It recognizes that life doesn’t stop when you log into work, especially when you’re caring for an aging parent, spouse, or child with special needs.

Some of the biggest benefits include:

• Reduced stress and burnout: You can breathe again knowing your schedule works with you, not against you.

• Increased productivity: You’re more focused and effective when you’re not constantly torn between competing priorities.

• Improved retention and trust: Employers who allow microshifting often see loyal, engaged, and grateful employees who stay longer.

  
  

Microshifting isn’t just a perk, it’s a bridge between work and life that honors both your professional and caregiving commitments.

How to Ask Your Boss to Allow You to Microshift

Requesting flexibility at work can feel intimidating, but it starts with a clear, confident, and solution-focused conversation.

Here’s how to approach it:

1. Prepare Your Plan.

   Before meeting with your manager, outline what your work hours might look like under a microshift model. Be specific about how you’ll stay available, meet deadlines, and maintain productivity.

   
   

2. Focus on Results.

   Emphasize that you’re committed to your performance goals. For example:

   “I’d like to adjust my work schedule to better support my caregiving role. I’ll still meet all my deadlines and stay responsive during core hours.”

   
   

3. Start Small.

   Suggest a pilot period, perhaps two to four weeks, to show that microshifting can work for both you and the organization.

   
   

4. Keep Communication Open.

   Use shared calendars, weekly check-ins, or task management tools to stay visible and accountable.

   
   

5. Highlight the Win-Win.

   Employers benefit from reduced absenteeism, higher morale, and lower turnover when they support caregivers through flexible work practices.

A New Way to Lead and Live

Microshifting isn’t about asking for special treatment, it’s about redefining what effective work looks like in a world where millions of people are balancing jobs and caregiving.

If you’re a family caregiver, know this: flexibility isn’t a luxury,  it’s a tool that helps you lead well and live well. And when you model this kind of balance, you show others what’s possible too.

Journal Prompt

Take a quiet moment to reflect and write:

“If I had more flexibility in my workday, how would that change the way I show up,  for my loved one, for myself, and for my career?”

Consider what small adjustments, or “microshifts”, could bring more peace, focus, or rest into your week. Sometimes, the smallest change can spark the biggest relief.

#microshifting #leadership #wellness #thecaregiverceo #familycaregiver